New Children’s Book to be Launched at the Brooke Jackman Foundation Read-a-thon

The Brooke Jackman Foundation (BJF), a non-profit organization that promotes literacy for at-risk children in the greater New York area, is commemorating 9/11 and its 11th anniversary with the third annual Brooke Jackman Foundation Read-a-thon – A Celebration of Literacy and Hope.

The event will take place on Saturday, September 8, 2012, 12:00-1:30 pm, just steps from Ground Zero at the Winter Garden in the World Financial Center in Lower Manhattan. Hosted by Arts Brookfield, this free public event for children and families will celebrate the positive, transformative power of literacy.

This year’s read-a-thon will also debut readings from the newly published collection of stories and illustrations from the kids in the Foundation’s programs, called ABC, My Family & Me: An Alphabet Book by the Kids of the Brooke Jackman Foundation. All proceeds from the sale of the book support the work of BJF.

Erin Jackman, Brooke’s sister and BJF’s Executive Director said, “For more than a decade, we have sponsored literacy programs across New York City, and the Read-a-thon allows for all of our children to gather and share their love of learning. Just as the rising of the Freedom Tower marks the progress that New York City has made since 9/11, the growing popularity of the Brooke Jackman Foundation Read-a-thon and the publication of our first book of stories and illustrations from the kids in our programs marks the progress that we are making in advancing youth literacy.”

Not only is the BJF remembering 9/11 but they also are celebrating their own 11-year anniversary.

The Brooke Jackman Foundation was created 11 years ago to honor Brooke Jackman, a bright and compassionate 23-year-old who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks before achieving her dream of becoming a social worker. Brooke was an avid reader, and her passion and commitment to literacy and helping children spurred the Jackman family to create BJF as her living legacy – turning tragedy and despair into hope for a better world. Since 2001, the Brooke Jackman Foundation has donated nearly 100,000 books and almost 15,000 Brooke Packs, backpacks filled with books and school supplies, to children and families in need. BJF has established four libraries, as well as a number of after-school literacy programs, at sites across all five boroughs, including homeless shelters and Family Justice Centers for victims of domestic violence and crime in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. The Brooke Jackman Foundation Read-a-thon recognizes the hope born from the tragic events of that day and celebrates the resiliency of New York and its children.